The Mentoring for Success program connects nursing students with experienced leaders who champion nursing through a national partnership between the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) and Humana. Launched with founding support from Humana, the program matches nursing students with practicing nurse mentors from Humana and is designed to strengthen the leadership pipeline, improve access to care, improve the student experience while advancing NOBC’s mission to improve the health of communities
Ada Guzman, RN-BSN, is a Senior Clinical and Strategy Practice Professional based in Palm Beach, Florida.
Paying It Forward for the Next Generation
Ada joined the Mentoring for Success program because, in her words, “I feel like this was a wonderful way to pay it forward and help foster the relationship of newer nurses in our field.”
She sees mentorship as important because it gives students “someone who is willing to just help you and guide you through the confusing parts of the nursing school journey.” Ada also noted that “having someone who has been through this and can even normalize what you’re experiencing is amazing.”
A Moment That Shaped Her Path
Ada said one moment that influenced her path came when she was in high school and admitted to a pediatric hospital for cellulitis. “I used to want to be a pediatrician,” she shared, but during that hospital stay she noticed the difference between the brief interactions with pediatricians and the relationships her nurses had with patients.
“My nurses all knew I wanted to be a pedi and joked that I would be their boss,” Ada recalled, “while the pedis ran in and out and didn’t have much interaction.” She added, “It was then I realized I wanted to have that level of relationship with patients like my nurses had.”
A lesson from an early mentor also stayed with her: “always keep my why in mind.” Ada said that mentor reminded her to remember that “families and patients are scared and anything we can do to lighten the load or fear is huge for them.”
Leading with Communication and Openness
Ada identified communication as one of the strengths she brings to mentoring. “Communication is a big part of what I think makes me successful,” she said, adding that she encourages mentees to “make sure they communicate appropriately.”
She also emphasized the importance of being accessible to mentees: “Being someone that is easy to talk to and open to questions is imperative.” Through the program, Ada hopes mentees “feel empowered and inspired by hearing about the mentors’ experience throughout nursing and how rewarding it can be.”
Carrying the Message Forward
As mentees move forward in their own leadership journeys, Ada hopes they “encourage other nurses to speak up, and be advocates for our career and sharing all that nurses can offer outside of the bedside.”
Her message to nurses considering the Mentoring for Success program is direct: “Take advantage of this opportunity to it’s fullest. Ask ALL the questions and listen carefully. Use this as the amazing opportunity it is.”